Without changes to the contract between the University of Arkansas and War Memorial Stadium, 2015 could see only two SEC football games on campus in Fayetteville. Everybody is OK with that?

It was 2010 and I was probably in the air somewhere between Charlotte and Memphis.

A specific flight plan on how I got back from Arkansas’ 41-20 victory at South Carolina escapes me now. But the conversation that happened with a Virginia Tech fan is still fresh in my mind.

It likely will be for a very long time.

Our conversation stands out among many others I had while traveling as a member of the working sports press, because it was a turning point in my life.

It began with the fan noticing the official game notes I was reading while working up that week’s postgame report card. We talked about the Razorbacks’ impressive showing before the conversation turned to how surprisingly loud and fun Williams-Brice Stadium was among college football venues.

Noting his Virginia Tech hat, I mentioned seeing a game at Lane Stadium was on my college football bucket list. He talked at length at how great game days were in Blacksburg, Va. and then posed the question that wound up having a profound impact on my worldview.

Allow me to recap:

Virginia Tech fan: What’s the atmosphere at Arkansas like?

Me: Well, that all depends on which stadium you’re talking about.

VT fan: (Puzzled look)

Me: There’s Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville where campus is located. It holds about 70,000 and at certain times the noise will rival anything you’ll hear anywhere else in the SEC. Then there’s War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, which is about three hours from campus. People say the tailgating is really good on the golf course and it can get loud for only holding 50,000-ish.

VT fan: (Blank stare) I don’t get it. Why not play them all on campus?

Me: Well, Arkansas has been playing in Little Rock for decades. It essentially began as a way to market the program to folks outside of Fayetteville. Little Rock is the state capital and sits pretty much in the center of the state. Northwest Arkansas used to be impossible to get to … blah … I-540 … blah … Highway 71 … blah … imagine 18-wheelers going 75 in a 30 on a two-lane, mountain road … blah … I really miss this place called the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse … blah …

VT fan: Seriously? They play home games in two different stadiums?

Me: Right. Arkansas has two games a year in War Memorial. And then there’s this whole push to play in Dallas, which has been…

VT fan: Dallas? Texas?

Me: Right. Arkansas has a deal with Texas A&M to play each year in Jerry World. There’s this whole thing about how that’s being billed as a “third home stadium.” Dallas is home to the largest UA alumni base outside of the state and it’s fertile recruiting ground for football players, and also a hotbed for future students who drive Land Cruisers and have really rich parents.

VT fan: Really? And everybody is OK with that?

That, y’all, is the moment that it really hit me.

Once I had the conversation with a totally objective outside party, I began to understand just how crazy the concept of splitting up games really is. And Isay this as someone just four years removed from writing a column headlined “Arkansas Needs War Memorial Stadium, Expansion or Not.” Like many of y’all, Little Rock was my introduction to Razorback football, but it’s getting increasingly difficult to justify the way things are.

If reliving that 2010 conversation with me isn’t a moment of clarity for you, perhaps a look at the 2014 and 2015 schedules will be.

There is a chance the Razorbacks could open 2014 with just one of their first five games in Fayetteville. Jeff Long noted in media appearances on Wednesday that the set up presents a “challenge” for Arkansas.

Perhaps you remain unconvinced.

If something doesn’t change — like, say, tweaking the contract with War Memorial that runs until 2016 — then the 2015 SEC home schedule in Fayetteville will include Auburn and Missouri.

That’s it. Auburn and Missouri are the only Fayetteville SEC games. Arkansas-A&M will return to Arlington and the other “home” conference game will be in Little Rock.

Think about that. Now answer this:

Really? And everybody is OK with that?

Without changes to the contract between the University of Arkansas and War Memorial Stadium, 2015 could see only two SEC football games on campus in Fayetteville. Everybody is OK with that?

things change throughout history. other than nostalgia and pleasing the blue hair crowd, there is no logistical reason to continue to play at WMS. the first ever Hogs game I attended was at WMS. It was great and it’s what caused me to be the fan I am today. But times change. Just like black and white TV was once the standard…it would be absolutely stupid to CHOOSE to watch black and white 19 inch TV when an 80 inch LED HDTV is in the other room. For two games a year, the Hogs CHOOSE the B&W tv for nostalgia sake. There was a time when playing in WMS made sense. that time has past.

Gus

I have qualms with the schedule as well, particularly A&M. Jerry’s world was fun when A&M didn’t affect our Conference Ranking. Now they do, and we’re basically playing them on the road for a decade?

And, per Bielema’s comments about “anytime the Players have to take a bus/plane home after a game… anyway you slice it… THAT’S a road game”.

Further I agree with BB, “if traveling affects the next week’s game, for the sake of tradition… that’s insane.”

It’s time to cut loose of WMS. We’re not in the SWC anymore, Toto.

joey patrick

If anything do away with the dallas game. So many fans are able to make the gamegamesvin little rock that normally don’t get anb opportunity to get involve w razorback football. Also go back and check the history of wins vs loses from within the stadium.

Gus

We’ve played a greater proportion of crappier teams in LR, than good teams. Hence, the misleading wins vs losses stat.

Zeke

The idea that keeping games in LR is in any productive for The Program(tm) is ridiculous.

I think it is inevitable that all the games get moved to Fayetteville soon. The money issue will eventually dictate that.

Progress and all.

But I also think it’s a shame that it has to be that way, because the Hogs give up one of the things that make them unique – sort of the same way that the BCS and next years’ college football playoff has abandoned one of the more interesting and unique aspects of the college game.

Hawgfan100

Dump those WM games: don’t want ’em, don’t need ’em.

If being ‘unique’ is hurting you, don’t need that either.

Time to move on.

Dallas is another issue entirely:

1) If the payday is anything like it used to be, we NEED this game.

2) I don’t know another way Arkansas can so easily and effectively penetrate the Texas recruiting scene than to go down there and whip one of their premier teams (this can also help to offset TAMU’s recruiting bump from joining the SEC BUT the Hogs have to win consistently in this match-up).